His Vengeance Wife (On Hold)

Chapter 22

After the function, both families bid each other goodbye, as important commitments awaited them. Amidst the farewells, neither Vivaan nor Akhil was anywhere to be seen.

“Missing my jiju already?” Divya teased, her voice laced with mischief.

Advika shot her a warning glare. “Meri shaadi ki baraat se pehle na, teri baraat nikalne wali hoon. Ruk ja tu, beta.”

Divya gulped at her bestie’s tone, realizing it was safer to retreat. Without another word, she quietly slipped away, successfully avoiding Advika’s wrath.

                            _______

With hurried steps, Vivaan stormed into Akhil’s office. Akhil, seated at his desk, was busy typing away. The sudden, forceful burst of the door caught his attention. His cold, piercing eyes shot up, ready to incinerate whoever dared disturb him.

“Mr. Malhotra’s son has been hospitalized,” Vivaan blurted, barely catching his breath.

Akhil let out a frustrated sigh, muttering under his breath. “So? Kya uski nanny ban ke uski dekhbhal karun ab?”

Vivaan rolled his eyes and plopped into the chair opposite Akhil, grabbing a glass of water. “Stop being so dramatic and take a look at this,” he said, pushing his phone toward him.

Akhil glanced at the screen, his eyes narrowing as a storm of emotions—grief and hatred—washed over him. A lump formed in Vivaan’s throat at the sight of his friend’s hardened expression.

“Nostalgic, isn’t it?” Vivaan commented, his voice tinged with tension.

Akhil fisted his hands, his jaw tightening as he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes.

“The way Aarav was beaten… the brutality, the signature style—it’s identical. I think he’s alive. And I’m damn sure he’s cooking up something big. Why else would he stay hidden for so long?”

Akhil remained silent, his face unreadable. But this wasn’t just silence—it was the calm before the storm.

                            ________

“Good morning!” Dhruvi chirped, her tone unusually cheerful.

“Good morning,” Advika replied, raising an eyebrow. “Itni khushi? Saddu Hulk aaj office nahi aaraha kya?”

“No yaar, just… feeling happy,” Dhruvi replied shyly, her gaze darting to the corner of the room.

Following her line of sight, Advika gasped dramatically. “Ye kab hua, bey?”

“This morning,” Dhruvi admitted with a shy smile. Her eyes locked with Aakash, the senior manager. He was busy reviewing files but occasionally glanced at her with an affectionate smile, making her cheeks flush.

“Blushy blushy baby!” Advika teased in a singsong voice.

Their banter was interrupted by Rhea, who appeared at the doorway. “Ms. Bakshi, sir wants to meet you.”

“Ab is Hulk ko kya chahiye, mummyyyy!” Advika groaned, throwing her hands up in mock despair.

Dhruvi couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Maybe he’s missing his fiancée…” she teased.

“Shut up,” Advika snapped, though the heat rising to her cheeks betrayed her.

                           _______

Akhil was engrossed in a file when the door to his cabin creaked open. A small head peeked in, followed by a soft voice.

“Mood acha lag raha hai, I guess,” Advika muttered to herself before stepping in. “May I come in?”

Akhil’s head lifted, his sharp gaze locking onto hers. His messy hair and the first three buttons of his shirt left undone gave him an effortless, rugged appeal that made her heart skip a beat.

“If you’re done checking me out, you may come in,” Akhil said, his voice dripping with amusement.

To be continued...